ALPLA and CCL Label have jointly introduced a stackable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) drink container wrapped in a full-body shrink sleeve, positioning the new format as a viable alternative to aluminium cans in the beverage packaging market.
The new 0.33-litre container is made from transparent PET and does not require any additional internal coatings. Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructure, it can be run on standard PET filling lines, making the transition straightforward for beverage producers already operating within established bottling setups.
A Resealable, Recyclable Format Built for the Existing Supply Chain
One of the most notable features of this recyclable PET can is its tethered cap closure — a design element that ALPLA describes as new to the can category. The closure is engineered to help protect contents from dirt and insects, which may also ease sorting and washing requirements during the recycling process.
The container is fully recyclable and is designed to remain within the existing bottle-to-bottle recycling stream. It can also be produced using recycled PET, commonly referred to as rPET, further supporting circular economy objectives in sustainable beverage packaging.
Recycling performance is additionally supported by CCL Label’s EcoFloat sleeve, which is manufactured from low-density polyolefin (PO). This label material is specifically designed to separate from PET flakes during recycling processing, ensuring the integrity of the recycled output is not compromised.
Full-Body Shrink Sleeve with 360° Print Area
The outer shrink sleeve covers the entire surface of the pack, offering a full 360-degree print area. Available in silver and mirror-style finishes, the sleeve provides strong visual differentiation on shelf. ALPLA noted that the sleeve is applied after filling, giving producers greater flexibility in adapting design and branding at a later stage of production without disrupting the filling process.
Timing Aligned with EU Packaging Regulations
The launch comes in the wake of the European Union’s ban on bisphenol-containing food packaging, particularly in disposable formats, which came into effect in July. This regulatory context makes the introduction of the recyclable PET can timely for manufacturers seeking compliant and future-ready sustainable beverage packaging options.
ALPLA’s food and beverage global sales director, Daniel Lehner, commented: “A beverage can may just as well be made of plastic. Our PET can relies on the well-known material properties of transparent PET, which have proven themselves on the market, strengthens the supply chain and can highlight special products as a novelty.”
He added: “We stand for safe and modern packaging solutions worldwide. The PET can combines these features and enables our customers to have a seamless and long-term supply.”
ALPLA Expands Global Manufacturing Footprint
Separately, in March, ALPLA commenced operations at a new manufacturing facility in Calamba City in the Philippines, establishing its first base plant in the country — reflecting the company’s continued focus on expanding its global production presence.
With the introduction of the recyclable PET can, ALPLA and CCL Label are offering the beverage industry a packaging solution that combines material familiarity, design flexibility, supply chain compatibility, and recyclability within a single format.